Octoberon [Import]

1. World Goes On

2. May Day

3. Ra

4. Rock & Roll Star

5. Polk Street Rag

6. Believe in Me

7. Suicide

Octoberon,Barclay James Harvest,Polygram Int'l,British Folk-Rock,Folk-Rock,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Another nice album by Barclay James Harvest an amazing effort--timeless

Octoberon Barclay James Harvest Manufacturer: Umvd Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gone to Earth Everyone Is Everybody Else Time Honoured Ghosts XII Their First Album ASIN: B00009029N Release Date: 2003-06-09

Tracks:

1. The World Goes On
2. May Day
3. Ra
4. Rock 'n Roll Star
5. Polk Street Rag
6. Believe In Me
7. Suicide
8. Rock N' Roll Star
9. Polk Street Rag
10. Ra
11. Rock N' Roll Star
12. Suicide?

Album Description

2003 remastered reissue of the British progressive rock act's 1976 album includes 5 bonus tracks, 'Rock N' Roll Star' (Early Mix), 'Polk Street Rag' (First Mix), 'Ra' (First Mix), 'Rock N' Roll Star' (Recorded at Marquee Studios) & 'Suicide?' (First Mix). Features 12 tracks in all & a 16-page booklet. Polydor. 2003.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Reissue of their Album from 1976. Polydor Had Wanted the Band to Record with Elliott Mazer (Neil Young), but They Ended Up Participating in the Sessions for Starsky and Hutch Actor David Soul's Solo Album. David Rohl Took Over as Co-producer, with a Cv that Included Photography (He Took the Cover Art Picture on the Moody Blues' "a Question of Balance") and Staff Producer at 10cc's Strawberry Studios. Rohl was Able to Fashion a Sound that Made the Group Sound More Like a Cohesive Band Unit. The Title is a Send-up of the Shakespearena Character "Oberon"..this Re-release Includes Five Bonus Tracks Not Included on the Original Vinyl Edition.

Customer Reviews:

Another nice album by Barclay James Harvest.......2007-05-22

This pleasant 1976 release continues in the tradition of richly arranged symphonic pop that characterized much of their output. In contrast with previous releases however, the arrangements seem a little more elaborate and even include the use of an orchestra and a choir. The overall feel of the album is a bit sad and somewhat dark.

The lineup on this album included Les Holroyd (bass; acoustic guitar; and vocals); Woolly Wolstenholme (Hammond organ; mellotron; synthesizers; and vocals); Mel Pritchard (drums and percussion); and John Lees (electric and acoustic guitars; vocals). In general, the one thing that really stands out on this album are the vocal harmonies, which are superb. I also love the use of synthesizers which add a great deal to the symphonic aspects of this album.

The seven tracks on the album range in length from 4'21" to 7'57 and are all excellent examples of symphonic pop. Arrangements are lush and the instrumentation emphasizes acoustic textures, although there are a few up-tempo and electric sections. One of my favorite moments on this album is during the choir section (augmented with a celestial, "churchy" sounding organ), whereby a smaller chorus of male voices sing in a completely different key and meter than the rest of the choir. Although the effect is subtle, I found the dissonance to be pretty cool. In large part however, the pieces are very well arranged songs that feature pleasant melodies and excellent vocal harmonies. In addition to the more lavishly arranged pieces, there are a few straightforward pop songs on here, e.g. Rock and Roll Star, that are vaguely reminiscent of American west coast soft rock (think Eagles here). There is a unifying mood to all of the pieces and that is one of melancholy. In fact, the last song describes someone committing suicide (complete with sound effects I might add). I think that it is this emotional sophistication that really makes the band work for me.

This remastered version is just great and features loads of liner notes, pictures of the group, and lyrics. The bonus tracks on the album include remixes of the same tracks included on the original album and do not add too much.

All in all, this is a great album of symphonic pop with a lot of emotional sophistication. Recommended along with Everybody is Everybody Else (1974) and a few other albums that are somewhat similar in texture including a few by the Strawbs (Hero and Heroine, 1974; Ghosts, 1975); and a few by The Alan Parsons Project (Tales of Mystery and Imagination, 1976; and I Robot, 1977).

an amazing effort--timeless.......2006-01-05

This review comes with a caveat--I have never heard the remastered version the previous reviewer finds offensive. He may very well be right. I bought the original CD about twenty years ago--actually one of my first CD's--and my comments pertain only to that Polydor release (821-930-2)

The album, musically and lyrically, is superb. I knew very little about BJH beyond "Mockingbird" when I first bought this, and it took me a little while to appreciate it. I think I was more taken by surprise than reluctant in any way, but I remember hearing "Suicide?" for the first time and being blown away by its complexity, its harmony, its plot, and its method of narration. It truly is a masterpiece--one which most people will never hear and never hear of.

Anyway, the original "unremastered" version is more than worth the price if you can find it. I paid $4.98 at a now defunct music shop that sold used CD's. It's worth ten times that amount. Well, five anyway.

Average customer rating: The best by BJH Powerful yet serene music.

Octoberon Barclay James Harvest Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000006SQ2 Release Date: 2000-06-13

Tracks:

1. The World Goes On
2. May Day
3. Ra
4. Rock 'n Roll Star
5. Polk Street Rag
6. Believe In Me
7. Suicide

Customer Reviews:

The best by BJH.......2004-08-24

BHJ has never bettered this album. An amazing masterpiece of carefully crafted songs. BJH has different tempo on different songs as the band members write their own songs rather than colaborate on songs just like 'Queen' giving different feels on the same album.

The main song writers are guitarist John Lees and bass player Les Holroyed who alternately share the writing credits and vocals for most songs. Wooly Wolstenholm on keys usually contributes to one song on an album and the songs by him are really amazing like 'Ra' on this one which is a classic. Mellow yet extremely complex with great orchestration, melody and a lovely haunting tune on the guitar by Lees.

This song alone makes the album special but what makes it a classic is the fact that all the other songs like 'May Day', 'Rock & Roll Star' (commercially the best known), 'world goes on', 'believe in me' and the intriguing 'sucide'(totally unlike Thin Lizzy's song) with its classing ending are great.The thing about the album is that on different days with different moods you will have a new favorite. 'Polk Street Rag' may be the only average song which is not all that bad.

It's hard to classify the music by BJH though I've heard the nearest would be some songs by 'Moody Blues' or 'Procol Harum'.

The band is good, this album is an absolute masterpiece.

Powerful yet serene music........1999-05-20

Any fan of the classical rock genre would be proud to own this CD. BJH bring to mind so many influences yet remain unique in a wonderfully positive way. In my humble opinion, there are no weak songs on this CD and the final track, "Suicide", is one of the most stunning songs I've ever heard!

Average customer rating: Ethereal

Octoberon Barclay James Harvest Manufacturer: Umvd Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000092Q7P Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

1. World Goes On
2. May Day
3. Ra
4. Rock & Roll Star
5. Polk Street Rag
6. Believe in Me
7. Suicide

Customer Reviews:

Ethereal.......2003-10-07

Barclay James Harvest is one band I came across by accident. I heard a song of theirs on the radio and their name stuck with me. I picked up this album and instantly loved it. Good writing, excellent playing and great voices. The string sound, a mellotron I believe, adds a very ethereal element to the songs. I just love the way the songs flow. They just seem to wash over me. This music soothes me and I beleive it can do the same for you.

Average customer rating:

Octoberon Barclay James Harvest Manufacturer: Universal/Polydor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000EMH9EY Release Date: 2006-05-20

Tracks:

1. World Goes On
2. May Day
3. Ra
4. Rock N' Roll Star
5. Polk Street Rag
6. Believe in Me
7. Suicide?
8. Rock N' Roll Star [Early Mix][#][*]
9. Polk Street Rag [First Mix][#][*]
10. Ra [First Mix][#][*]
11. Rock N' Roll Star [#][*]
12. Suicide? [First Mix][#][*]

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing has been remastered and comes packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Polydor. 2006.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

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